When Ranbir Kapoor told dad Rishi Kapoor and uncle Randhir Kapoor not to produce Barfi because of its ‘risky subject’

Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor were onboard to produce Anurag Basu's experimental film Barfi but Ranbir Kapoor discouraged them.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | February 17, 2024 01:05 PM IST

3 min read

Barfi was released in 2012. (Photo: Express Archives)

Filmmaker Anurag Basu’s film Barfi was an ambitious but unconventional film when it released over a decade ago. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, the film was released in 2012 and is still loved by many for its delicate storytelling. However, Ranbir found the subject of the film ‘risky’ and warned his father Rishi Kapoor and uncle Randhir Kapoor when they offered to produce the film.

Randhir had previously revealed in an interview with Rediff.com that he and Rishi were ready to back Barfi as producers but Ranbir discouraged them. “I remember once I was having a drink with my brother (Rishi Kapoor) when Ranbir came in and told us that he had heard a fantastic script and was working in the film as the lead actor. He said the film did not have a producer. My brother and I said that we would produce the film,” he said.

The veteran actor added, “Ranbir warned us, “Yeh subject thoda risky, toh aap log mat produce karo “(The subject is a bit risky so you don’t produce it). That film was Barfi. It is one of those rare films in today’s time which has a soul.” Barfi was later produced by Ronnie Screwwala and Siddharth Roy Kapur under the banner of UTV Motion Pictures.

Also read | Ranbir Kapoor reveals 3 rules he lives by, says he’s guided by Mukesh Ambani’s advice: ‘Don’t take success to your head, failure to…’

Ranbir had previously revealed how his father advised him against doing ‘arty’ films like Barfi. The Animal actor told PTI, “My father says it as it is. He is not a hypocrite. When he saw Barfi!, he told me acting is good but don’t do arty films. His cinema is very different and he sometimes expects me to follow it. His are the opinions that I look up to. It may take 15-20 years but I will keep trying to make him happy. He is happy with my work in Bombay Velvet, it is an incentive to work harder.”

Barfi also marked the debut of Ileana D’Cruz. The film was India’s selection for the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

From the homepage